Plasma alkylresorcinols as a biomarker for whole grain intake and predictor of metabolic syndrome risk

Abstract

Alkylresocinols (AR) are dietary phenolic lipids obtained mainly from wheat and rye bran. Research shows that plasma AR homologues are potentially suitable biomarkers for whole grains (WG) intake. The objective of this ancillary cross‐sectional study was to investigate relationships between WG intake, plasma AR and cardiometabolic risk factors in college students (18‐24 y). Subjects (n=130) completed 3 24‐hr dietary recalls and had fasting blood drawn on 2 nonconsecutive days. Plasma was analyzed for AR concentration (homologues C17:0‐C:25:0) by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry; total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL‐C and glucose by enzymatic assay; and LDL‐C by the Friedewald equation. There was a correlation between subjects' total WG intake and plasma AR (ρ=0.246, p=0.006). Regression analysis showed that total WG intake explained about 6% of the variance in plasma AR concentrations (r2=0.058, p=0.01). Although triglycerides was the only cardiometabolic risk factor associated with plasma AR (ρ=0.27 p=0.003), logistic regression showed that plasma AR was a significant predictor of subjects displaying 2 or more metabolic syndrome criteria (OR=1.009, 95% CI=1.003‐1.015, p=0.004). These results show a weak linear relationship between self‐reported WG intake and plasma AR in persons consuming few WGs, and suggest that plasma AR may be a predictor of metabolic syndrome risk in college students.